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James 1:1-27 Lord, there seems to be nothing but hard times. What are we to do? We turn to You. We ask You, “Lord, what are You teaching us?” You’re teaching us to trust You. You’re teaching us to be changed by You. Even when everything seems so hard, help us to pray, “Your will be done.” James 2:1-26 The world says one thing. Your Word says something else. Who are we to listen to? We know what our answer should be – but it’s not always the answer that we give to You. You’re speaking to us – and we’re not listening. Help us, Lord, to listen to You, to hear what Your Word is saying to us, and to become “rich in faith” (James 2:5). James 3:1-4:12 Lord, our words can be so fiery. We speak first – and think later. Help us, Lord, to be fired up by another fire – the fire of the Holy Spirit. Help us to speak with wisdom – “the wisdom that comes from above” (James 3:17-18). James 4:13-5:20 What’s going to happen next? We worry about things that might never happen.

"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). It is a great thing to rejoice in God's salvation. We give thanks for the truth upon which our salvation rests. As well as rejoicing in God's salvation and standing upon His truth, we must also speak directly to those who have wandered from the truth, calling upon them to turn from the error of their ways. Turning "a sinner from the error of his way" - we don't hear much of this kind of talk nowadays. People like to hear the Good News of salvation. They like to be assured of the truth of God's Word. If, however, our teaching regarding the Good News of salvation and the truth of God's Word are to have real depth, we must speak forthrightly about turning "a sinner from the error of his way."

The Problem - "if one of you should wander from the truth" The Returning - "if ... someone should bring him back" The Blessing - "Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Does God have a message of hope for those who have wandered away from Him? - Yes! He speaks with truth concerning our sin, and He speaks with love concerning His salvation. "Seek t  he Lord while He may be found; Call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). What blessing is given to those who return to the Lord! There was sin and guilt. Now, there is the forgiveness of sin. There was death.  Now, there is life: new life - life with a new sense of meaning, purpose and direction; eternal life - life with the Lord in the everlasting g

James' attack on " dead faith" (G. C. Berkouwer, Faith and Justification , 137) and his protest for faith as "a truly experienced reality" (136), which dominates the whole of life, does not conflict with Paul who speaks against the works of the law but not against the works of faith.

“You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2) - This is a call to prayer. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3) - This is a call to seek God's glory.